JP2003072190A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a recording sheet in a sheet discharge tray from becoming difficult to be confirmed due to an operating section for setting the imaging conditions even when a sheet discharge tray is disposed below a reading means. SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus comprises means for imaging on a recording sheet, means for discharging the recording sheet on which an image is formed by the imaging means, a sheet discharge tray 35 for stacking the recording sheets discharged from the discharging means, a reading means for scanning a document, and an operating section 170 for setting the imaging conditions. An open section is formed between the sheet discharge tray 35 and the reading means by disposing the reading means above the sheet discharge tray 35. The operating section 170 is projected from an upper part of the open section to one side face side of the sheet discharge tray 35 on one side face side of the sheet discharge tray 35 in the direction parallel with the discharging direction of the sheet discharging means in the body of imaging apparatus.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile, and a composite type image forming apparatus in which a plurality of types of image forming apparatuses are combined.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional facsimile apparatus, a paper feed means for separating and feeding the originals loaded in a paper feed tray, and an image of the original is read while the originals separated and fed by the paper feed means are conveyed. A reading unit, an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet according to image information, and a sheet discharging unit that discharges the recording sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit with the image side down, or an image side. There is a sheet discharge device that discharges the sheet to a sheet discharge tray with the sheet up.

[0003]

The above-mentioned conventional facsimile apparatus has the following problems.

Since the paper discharge tray and the paper feed tray respectively protrude from the apparatus cabinet, a large installation space is required for installing the apparatus. Particularly, the paper discharge tray and the paper feed tray are different from each other in the apparatus cabinet. In the case where it projects, at least two projected surfaces of the paper discharge tray and the paper feed tray cannot be brought close to the wall, so that the use efficiency of the installation space in an office or the like decreases.

The exterior panel of the apparatus cabinet or the like is usually provided with an opening / closing portion for replacing jammed recording paper and consumable parts. To allow the opening / closing portion to be opened, the opened / closed portion is opened. It is necessary to secure a space for projecting.

[0006] When the image is read with the image surface downward, the sheet discharging unit discharges the image sequentially read from the first page of the document onto the recording sheet. It is convenient because it is stacked on the output tray,
When an auto feeder that starts feeding paper from the last page of the original is used, the recording paper is stacked on the paper discharge tray in the reverse page order. Also, depending on the usage situation,
In some cases, it is desired to start the next image formation while confirming the image formed on the discharged recording paper. In this case, the paper discharge means for discharging the paper with the image surface facing downward is inconvenient.

When an auto feeder that starts feeding paper from the last page of the original is used as the paper ejecting means for ejecting the paper with the image side facing upward, the page order is aligned on the paper ejection tray. Since the recording sheets are stacked, it is convenient. However, when reproducing the images read from the first page of the document by the reading means on the recording sheets, the recording is performed on the discharge tray in the reverse page order. Paper will be stacked. In addition, depending on the usage conditions, it may not be desirable for a third party to see the image contents formed on the recording paper. In this case, the paper ejection means for ejecting the paper with the image side facing up is on the paper ejection tray. Therefore, the image may be viewed by a third party.

When the paper discharge tray is provided below the reading means, the recording paper in the paper discharge tray is confirmed by the existence of the operation unit for setting the image forming condition arranged on the front upper side. There is a problem that it is difficult.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide an image forming apparatus having a structure in which the discharge tray can be easily seen.

[0010]

In order to solve the above problems, a first means of the present invention is an image forming means for forming an image on a recording sheet, and the image forming means is provided on the image forming means. Paper ejection means for ejecting the recording paper on which an image is formed by the image means, a paper ejection tray for stacking the recording paper ejected from the paper ejection means, and scanning for scanning an original on the paper ejection tray In an image forming apparatus including a device and an operation unit for setting an image forming condition, an opening is provided between the paper discharge tray and the reading unit, and the opening is parallel to the paper discharge direction of the paper discharge unit in the apparatus main body. The operating portion is provided so as to project to the one side surface side on one side surface side of the paper discharge tray in a different direction and on a part of the upper side of the opening portion. With this configuration, the paper discharge tray in the device cabinet can be easily seen.

Further, according to the second means, the operating portion is provided on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction with respect to the paper discharge means.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. The copying machine according to the present embodiment is a device for forming an image on the recording paper P based on image information, which is arranged below the reading device in the device cabinet 1 and a reading device arranged above the device cabinet 1 to scan the document D. The image forming means, a discharge means arranged in the apparatus cabinet 1 between the reading means and the image forming means, for discharging the recording paper P on which an image is formed by the image forming means, and the recording paper P for the image forming means. And a paper feeding means for feeding paper.

In the image forming means, 11 is a photosensitive drum and 12
Is a charger for uniformly charging the photoconductor drum 11, 13 is a laser optical system for scanning the photoconductor drum 11 with a laser beam L corresponding to image information to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 11, 14 Is a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 11 into a toner image, 15 is a transfer device for transferring the toner image on the photoconductor drum 11 to the recording paper P, and 16 is left on the photoconductor drum 11 after the transfer is completed. A cleaning device that removes and collects the formed toner, and a fixing device 17 that fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording paper P.

In the paper feeding means, 21 is a paper feeding cassette, and the two paper feeding cassettes 21 are respectively mounted at the mounting positions provided at the upper and lower two positions in the apparatus cabinet 1, and from this mounting position to FIG. It can be pulled out in the direction of arrow A shown. 22 is an urging plate that urges the recording paper P loaded in the paper feed cassette 21 upward, 23 is a separation claw that holds the leading end of the recording paper P on the paper feed side, and 24 is a half-moon-shaped paper feed roller. Yes, paper feed roller
When 24 rotates once, the uppermost recording paper P in the paper feed cassette 21 is separated and fed while the separation claw 23 prevents double feeding. 25 is a paper feed path composed of a guide plate and rollers, and 26 is a pair of registration rollers.
Conveys the recording paper P separated and fed by the paper feed roller 24 to the registration roller pair 26.

Further, 27 is a paper feed tray which can be opened and closed at a storage position shown by a solid line and an open position shown by a two-dot chain line,
28 is a paper feed roller and 29 is a separation pad. The recording paper P can be loaded in the paper feed tray 27 in the open position, and the recording paper P loaded in the paper feed tray 27 is fed to the image forming means by setting the paper feed tray 27 in the open position. It Paper tray
The recording paper P of 27 is conveyed to the registration roller pair 26 while the feeding roller 28 rotates to prevent the multi-feeding by the separation pad 29. Here, the registration roller pair 26 is
The recording paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 21 or the paper feed tray 27 is started in synchronization with the toner image on the photoconductor drum 11.

In the paper discharging means, 31 is composed of a guide plate and rollers, a second paper discharging path for discharging the recording paper P to the paper discharging tray 32, and 33 is a switch for switching the discharging direction of the recording paper P. The claws 34 feed the recording paper P to the second paper discharge path 31 when the switching claw 33 is at the position indicated by the solid line, and the first claw 34 when the switching claw 33 is at the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line. A discharge roller that forms a discharge path and discharges the recording paper P to the discharge tray 35. Second
The paper discharge path 31 discharges the recording paper P onto the paper discharge tray 32 with the image surface on which the image is formed facing upward, and the paper discharge rollers 34.
Discharges the recording paper P onto the paper discharge tray 35 with the image surface facing downward when the switching claw 33 is at the position indicated by the chain double-dashed line.

Further, numeral 36 is a sheet re-feeder for reversing the surface and conveying the recording paper P to the registration roller pair 26 in order to form an image on the other surface of the recording paper P having an image formed on one surface. Road,
37 is a switching claw. The re-feeding path 36 and the first conveying path are arranged along the side surface of the apparatus cabinet 1 so as to vertically guide the recording paper. When forming an image only on one surface of the recording paper P, the switching claw 37 moves to the position indicated by the solid line, and when forming an image on both surfaces of the recording paper P,
The recording paper P having an image formed on one surface thereof is fed to the second paper discharge path 31.
The transfer claw 37 is moved to the position indicated by the alternate long and two short dashes line while being conveyed in the opposite direction. As a result, the recording paper P is fed to the refeeding path.
The sheet is conveyed to the pair of registration rollers 26 by the sheet 36, and after the image is formed on the other surface, the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 32 or the sheet discharge tray 35.

The paper discharge tray 32 is provided with an extension plate 32a which is movable to a storage position shown by a solid line and an extension position shown by a chain double-dashed line. It is housed substantially within the horizontal projection plane of the cabinet 1, and by setting the extension plate 32a to the extended position, the paper discharge tray 32 can be extended to a position protruding from the apparatus cabinet 1 to increase the area of the tray. . Here, the extension plate 32a in the extended position is arranged so as to project from the same plane as the paper feed tray 27 in the open position in the apparatus cabinet 1. In addition, the output tray 35
It is arranged in the device cabinet 1 so as not to increase the horizontal projected area of the entire device.

In the reading means, 41 is a document tray on which a document D for reading an image is loaded, 42 is a biasing plate for biasing the document D loaded on the document tray 41 upward, and 43 is the uppermost document D. A feed roller in pressure contact, 44 a pair of separation rollers, 45 a reading roller, 46 a contact type image sensor as a reading means having an equal magnification optical system, 47 a guide plate and a driven roller abutting the reading roller 45. Configured reading guideway, 48
Is a pair of conveyance rollers, 49 is a pair of discharge rollers, 50 is a re-feeding path for reversing the surface and re-feeding the document D to the reading guide path 47, 51 is a parallel movement with the guide claw 51a and the guide claw 51a. It is a switching guide composed of guide claws 51b. When only one side of the document D is read, the switching guide 51 is fixed at the position indicated by the solid line, and the document D is discharged onto the discharge tray 52 by the discharge roller pair 49. Further, when reading both sides of the document D, the document D is discharged from the switching guide 51 to the paper discharge roller pair 49, temporarily stopped by the paper discharge roller pair 49, and then the switching guide 51 is moved to the position of the two-dot chain line. And the paper discharge roller pair 49 is reversed. As a result, the original D is turned upside down and fed into the refeeding path 50, and the contact image sensor
After the image is read by 46, a pair of transport rollers 48,
Paper ejection tray 52 through switching guide 51 and paper ejection roller pair 49
Is ejected.

A case 150 is provided inside the apparatus cabinet 1.
And the case 160 is arranged, and the case 150 has a power supply.
An electrical component / control unit such as 151 and a printed board 152 is mounted, and a controller board 161 is mounted in the case 160. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an operation unit 170 including input keys, a display panel, and the like is arranged on the outer surface of the apparatus cabinet 1, and the user operates the operation unit 170 to scan the document D. It is possible to set image forming conditions such as reading only one side or both sides, forming only one side of the recording paper P, or forming an image on both sides. In addition, the operation unit 170 is a paper ejection tray 35 in the device cabinet 1.
Since it is provided on the upper part of the device and at a part of the end of the outer surface of the device cabinet 1, the inside of the cabinet 1 can be easily seen.

The image forming apparatus of this embodiment is configured as a composite type image forming apparatus having the functions of a copying machine, a printer and a scanner. When this image forming apparatus is used as a copying machine, the image of the document D is read by the reading unit, and the recording paper P is read by the image forming unit based on the image information from the reading unit.
To form an image. When used as a printer, the image forming unit forms an image on the recording paper P based on image information from an external computer or the like. When used as a scanner, the image read by the reading unit is converted into image information in a predetermined format and output to an external filing device or the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the opening / closing cover in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. An opening / closing cover 60 for maintenance is formed in the vicinity of the supporting portion of the paper feed tray 27 in the device cabinet 1, and the opening / closing cover 60 is supported by the device cabinet 1 so as to be openable / closable about a support shaft 61. By opening the open / close cover 60 in the closed position of FIG. 2 to the open position of FIG. 3, the conveyance path of the recording paper P and the re-feeding path 36 near the photosensitive drum 11 can be opened and exposed to the outside of the apparatus. it can. For this reason, the open / close cover
Open 60 to open the photoconductor drum 1 which is a component of the image forming means.
1, the consumable parts such as the developing device 14 can be easily replaced, and the recording paper P jammed near the paper feed path 25, the paper refeed path 36 and the photoconductor drum 11 can be easily removed.

The open / close cover 60 supports the paper feed tray 27 so that the paper feed tray 27 can be opened and closed, and the open / close cover 60 projects from the same surface of the paper feed tray 27 in the open position and the apparatus cabinet 1. It is configured.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment described above, the paper discharging means records the paper with the second paper discharging path 31 for discharging the recording paper with the image surface upward and the image surface downward. A first paper discharge path for discharging the paper is formed, and the conveyance path of the recording paper P is set to the first paper discharge path or the second paper discharge path 31 according to the setting conditions.
By providing the switching claw 33 for switching to any of the above, it becomes possible to eject the recording paper P regardless of whether the image surface is directed downward or upward depending on the setting condition at the time of image formation. Therefore, when reproducing an image obtained by sequentially reading a stack of documents from the first page by the reading means on the recording paper P, the recording paper P is arranged on the paper discharge tray 35 in the page order by the switching claw 33. Can be stacked, and recording paper P can be placed on the output tray 32.
By discharging the sheet, the next image formation can be started while checking the image formed on the recording sheet P, or by discharging the recording sheet P to the sheet discharge tray 35, the image content of the recording sheet P is You can prevent it from being seen by a third party.

Further, the paper discharging means reverses the surface of the recording paper P having an image formed on one side by the image forming means and re-feeds it to the image forming means, and a re-feeding path 36 at the time of image forming. With the switching claw 37 for switching the conveyance path of the recording paper P from the paper discharge direction to the re-feed path 36 according to the setting condition of, the image on both sides of the recording paper can be displayed according to the setting condition at the time of image formation. Recording can be automatically performed, and if the paper discharge tray 32 is selected, the recording paper P on which images are formed on both sides can be discharged in a page order aligned state.

Further, the extension plate 32a of the paper discharge tray 32 and the paper feed tray 27 can be stored at a position where they hardly project from the horizontal projection plane of the apparatus cabinet 1, and the extension plate 32a of the paper discharge tray 32 is extended. Even if the paper feed tray 27 is opened, the extension plate 32a and the paper feed tray 27 are opened.
Since it projects from the same surface of the device cabinet 1, it is possible to prevent the installation space from being increased by the paper discharge tray 32 and the paper feed tray 27, and to efficiently use the installation space by moving the device cabinet 1 to the wall. Will be possible.
Further, since the opening / closing cover 60 is supported to be openable / closable in the same direction as the paper feeding tray 27, the opening / closing cover 60 can be opened even when the jammed recording paper P is removed or the consumable parts are replaced. The required space can be suppressed.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are configuration diagrams showing another example of the reading means in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and the members corresponding to the members described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 are the same. The reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a reading means for fixing the original document D and reading an image. Reference numeral 71 is a contact glass on which the original document D is placed, and 72 is moved along the original document D on the contact glass 71. While the light source lamp illuminates the document D, 73 is the first mirror that moves together with the light source lamp 72, and 74 and 75 are the second mirror and the third mirror that move at 1/2 speed of the light source lamp 72.
Mirror, 76 is a document D incident through the mirrors 73, 74, 75
A lens for forming an image of the reflected light from the image forming device, a reading sensor 77 for reading the light formed by the image forming lens 76, and a document D 78.
Auto feeder 80 is stored inside, and contact glass
A manuscript cover that is openably and closably supported on 71, and 79 is an electronic component for controlling the optical system.

In the auto feeder 80, 81 is a document tray on which a document D is loaded, 82 is a paper feed roller, 83 is a separation roller pair, 84 is a conveying path composed of rollers and guide plates, and 85 is on the contact glass 71. Is a conveyor belt, 86 is a pair of discharge rollers, and 87 is a discharge tray. The auto feeder 80 is a type that feeds a stack of documents from below (type that feeds from the last page).

Here, when reading a document D such as a book or booklet, the auto feeder 80 is not used and the document cover 78 is opened to bring the image surface of the document D into close contact with the contact glass 71. The reading means is a light source lamp 72 and mirrors 73, 74, 75.
Is moved in the sub-scanning direction along the document D, and the reading sensor 77
The document D is read by photoelectrically converting the light on the main scanning line at a predetermined interval.

When the auto feeder 80 is used to read the sheet-shaped document D, the image surface of the document D is turned upward with the document cover 78 closed, and the first page is the top. The original tray 81 is loaded in this state. The document D is separated and fed from the lowest order by the paper feed roller 82 and the separation roller pair 83 and fed to the conveyance path 84.
The paper is fed between the contact glass 71 and the conveyor belt 85 by 84. The conveyance belt 85 conveys the document D on the contact glass 71 and temporarily stops it at a predetermined position. The reading means reads the document D as in the case where the auto feeder 80 is not used. After the reading is completed, the document D is conveyed again by the conveyor belt 85, and is ejected onto the paper ejection tray 87 by the paper ejection roller pair 86. At this time, the image plane is on the lower side, and the first page is the lowermost layer.

In the image forming apparatus having the above-mentioned reading means, when the image is formed on the recording paper P by the image information from the reading means, the recording paper P is ejected from the recording paper P when the automatic feeder 80 is not used. When the discharge means is set so that the recording paper P is discharged onto the discharge tray 32 and the automatic feeder 80 is used, the discharge means is set so that the recording paper P is discharged onto the discharge tray 32. The sheets P can be aligned in page order and discharged to the sheet discharge trays 32 and 35.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a reading means capable of setting a mode for reading an image with the document D fixed and a mode for reading the document D while moving the document D. Reference numeral 91 denotes a first document on which the document D is placed. A contact glass, 92 is a manuscript cover that is openably and closably supported on the first contact glass 91, and 93 is a manuscript D.
Light source lamp for illuminating document D while moving along the
Is a first mirror that moves together with the light source lamp 93, 95 and 96 are second and third mirrors that move at 1/2 speed of the light source 93, and 97 is an original D incident through the mirrors 94, 95 and 96. Is an image forming lens for forming an image of the reflected light of 98, a reading sensor for reading the light formed by the image forming lens 97, and a reference numeral 99 for a control electrical component of the optical system.

Further, 100 is an auto feeder, 101 is a document D.
Document tray on which the document D is loaded, 102 is an urging plate that urges the document D on the document tray 101 upward, 103 is a paper feed roller that comes into pressure contact with the document D urged by the urging plate 102, and 104 is a separation roller. A pair, 105 is a reading roller, 106 is a reading guide path constituted by a roller and a guide plate, 107 is a pair of discharge rollers, and 108
Is a second contact glass facing the reading roller 105.

Here, when the auto feeder 100 is not used, the original cover 92 is opened to bring the image surface of a bound original such as a sheet of original D, a book, or a booklet into close contact with the first contact glass 91. . The reading means moves the light source lamp 93 and the mirrors 94, 95, 96 in the sub-scanning direction along the document D, and the reading sensor 98 photoelectrically converts the reflected light on the main scanning line at predetermined intervals to read the document D. I do.

When the auto feeder 100 is used, with the original cover 92 closed, the original D is placed on the original tray 101 with the image side facing upward and the upper one page. Load it. The document D is separated and fed by the sheet feeding roller 103 and the pair of separating rollers 104 and is fed to the reading guide path 106. The reading guide path 106 conveys the document D at a constant speed while being wound around the reading roller 105. At this time,
The reading means stops the light source lamp 93 and the mirrors 94, 95, 96 at the positions shown by the solid lines, and the reading sensor 98 reads the reflected light from the document D moving on the second contact glass 108. The document D that has passed on the second contact glass 108 is discharged by the discharge roller pair 107 on the document cover 92 with the document surface facing down and the first page being the lowest.

In the image forming apparatus having the above-mentioned reading means, when an image is formed on the recording paper P by the image information from the reading means, the recording paper P is ejected to the paper ejection tray 35. By setting the means, the recording paper P
Can be ejected to the ejection tray 35 in the order of pages.

Although each of the above-described embodiments is a type in which the document reading device is initially attached to the upper part of the cabinet, it can be applied to a type of device which the user can selectively attach and detach. Although an example of the facsimile apparatus is not described, for example, by incorporating a known transmitting / receiving unit in the apparatus of FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus can transmit the image of the document D to a remote place. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and can be applied under the present technical idea.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The paper discharge tray in the apparatus cabinet becomes easy to see, and the result of image recording when the image forming conditions are set can be easily confirmed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an opening / closing cover in the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating another example of a reading unit in the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating another example of a reading unit in the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Equipment cabinet, 27 ... Paper feed tray, 31 ... Second
Paper output path, 32, 35 ... Paper output tray, 32a ... Extension plate, 3
3, 37 ... Switching claw, 34 ... Paper ejection roller, 36 ... Refeed path,
60 ... Open / close cover, D ... Original, P ... Recording paper.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AQ06 BB10 CF01                 2H171 FA01 FA02 FA03 FA21 FA22                       FA28 GA03 GA06 GA11 GA31                       HA20 HA31 JA21 JA22 KA05                       QA02 QB03 QB15 QB32 QC03                       SA10 SA14 SA15 SA19 SA20                       SA22 SA26 SA31 SA37 WA04                       WA17 WA19                 5C062 AA02 AB17 AB20 AB22 AB29                       AB30 AB32 AB35 AC04 AD06

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image forming unit for forming an image on a recording sheet, a sheet discharging unit provided on the image forming unit for discharging a recording sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit, and the sheet discharging unit. In an image forming apparatus including a paper discharge tray for stacking recording paper discharged from a paper unit, a reading unit for scanning a document on the paper discharge tray, and an operation unit for setting image forming conditions, An opening is provided between the paper discharge tray and the reading means,
The operation portion is provided on one side surface side of the paper discharge tray in a direction parallel to the paper discharge direction of the paper discharge means in the apparatus main body and on a part of the upper side of the opening portion so as to project to the one side surface side. A characteristic image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is provided on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction with respect to the paper discharge unit.